Sea warnings

  Received: February 29, 2024 Warning Issued: February 24, 2024 NAVAREA IV Warning: 233/24(11,26) Affected Area: Western North Atlantic, Florida Subject: Hazardous Operations - Rocket Launching Summary: Mariners are advised of hazardous operations due to rocket launches scheduled to take place in the Western North Atlantic, off the coast of Florida, from March 4, 2024, to March 10, 2024. Specific Dates and Times: March 4th:  04:00 AM to 04:50 AM EST (alternate) March 5th:  04:23 AM to 05:25 AM EST, 05:23 AM to 06:59 AM EST, 06:23 AM to 07:34 AM EST March 6th:  07:22 AM to 08:30 AM EST, 08:22 AM to 09:44 AM EST March 7th:  09:21 AM to 10:21 AM EST March 8th:  04:00 AM to 04:50 AM EST (alternate) March 9th:  04:23 AM to 05:25 AM EST, 05:23 AM to 06:59 AM EST, 06:23 AM to 07:34 AM EST March 10th:  07:22 AM to 08:30 AM EST, 08:22 AM to 09:44 AM EST Restricted Area: The hazardous operations will take place within the following two areas: Area A: Northernmost point:  28° 39.00' N,

Over 20,000 troops from 13 allied nations are currently engaged in Steadfast Defender 24 , NATO's largest exercise in decades. The exercise, hosted by Norway, Sweden, and Finland, focuses on collective defense , particularly in the strategically crucial Nordic region . Multi-domain operations, encompassing air, land, and sea, are a key element of the exercise. This large-scale training involves: Maritime forces: Ships from the US, Spain, Germany, and others are participating in various capacities, including practicing  defense against a simulated invasion . Over 50 vessels, including submarines, frigates, and aircraft carriers, are involved. Air forces: More than 100 fighter jets, transport aircraft, and helicopters will operate in the exercise airspace. Ground forces: Thousands of soldiers will be deployed, utilizing various artillery systems, tanks, and other land vehicles. Objectives and Significance: Demonstrate NATO's unity and projection capacity:  The exercise serves as

  Issued: Thursday, February 29, 2024, at 20:00 UTC (8:00 PM GMT) Source: METAREA 3, Meteo-France Warning Number: 72 A low-pressure system named "Emil" is located east of Tunisia and is filling. A high-pressure system is located over Spain. A new low-pressure system is expected to form over Corsica overnight, with pressure expected to rise to 1007 by Friday evening. An Atlantic ridge is expected to build over the Pyrenees on Friday. Affected Areas and Expected Conditions: Timeframe: Thursday, February 29, 2024, from 9:00 PM UTC (5:00 PM GMT) to Friday, March 1, 2024, midday UTC (8:00 AM GMT) Ebro Delta:  Northwesterly winds at 8 Beaufort (34-40 knots), increasing to 9 Beaufort (41-47 knots) at times overnight. Severe gusts expected. Minorca:  Northerly or northwesterly winds at 8 Beaufort (34-40 knots). Severe gusts expected. Lion:  Northwesterly winds at 8 Beaufort (34-40 knots), temporarily increasing to 9 Beaufort (41-47 knots) late tonight into early morning. Severe g

  The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) has issued a firing notice, informing mariners of a scheduled live weapon firing exercise. The exercise will take place between 03:00 UTC and 12:00 UTC on 29 February and 01 March 24 in an area bounded by an arc of radius 13,000 meters centered at 24-48.41N 066-57.36E between 225 to 270 degrees clockwise. Mariners are advised to exercise extreme caution and avoid the area during the scheduled firing times. All vessels within the exercise area are requested to monitor VHF frequency 16 or 22 and maintain a safe distance from the firing area.

The Peruvian Maritime Safety Information Coordinator has issued a warning about an unreliable lighthouse light at Punta Chancay, Peru. The lighthouse, known as HIDRONAV-222 and HIDRONAV-2223, is located in NAVAREA XVI 029/24, approximately 11°35'13.2"S 77°16'55.6"W. According to the information received, the light is unreliable and should not be relied upon for navigation. Mariners are advised to use alternative navigation methods and exercise caution when passing near the lighthouse. The order number for this notice is 22122, and the international number is G.2065.

  The European Union has taken a groundbreaking step towards environmental protection by criminalizing the most serious cases of ecosystem destruction . In a historic vote, the European Parliament overwhelmingly approved the updated environmental crime directive, making the EU the first international body to implement such legislation. Key Points of the Updated Directive: Criminalizes "ecocide":  While the term "ecocide" isn't explicitly mentioned, the directive targets cases "comparable to ecocide," effectively criminalizing large-scale environmental damage. Tougher penalties:  Individuals, including CEOs and board members, can face  prison sentences up to 10 years  for environmental crimes that cause death. General sentences can be up to 8 years. Expanded scope:  The new directive adds activities like water abstraction, ship recycling, and the introduction of invasive species to the list of environmental crimes. Individual accountability:  Individua

February 26, 2024: In an operation conducted between 4:45 pm and 11:45 pm local time, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces neutralized several potential threats posed by the Houthi militia in the Red Sea. Details of the Operation: Date and Time:  February 26, 2024, between 4:45 pm and 11:45 pm (Sanaa time) Location:  Red Sea Actions taken by CENTCOM: Destroyed three unmanned surface vessels (USVs) Destroyed two mobile anti-ship cruise missiles (ASCMs) Destroyed a one-way attack unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) CENTCOM claims the USVs and missiles were "prepared to launch towards" merchant vessels and U.S. Navy ships in the region, while the UAV was operating "over" the Red Sea. They deemed these actions necessary to: Protect freedom of navigation:  Upholding the right of vessels to navigate international waters without hindrance. Ensure maritime security:  Creating a safer environment for both commercial and military vessels in the region. This event has not garnered

Incident Possibly Caused by Houthi Attack, But Nothing Confirmed Yet On February 27, 2024, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) received a report of an incident 60 nautical miles west of Al Hudaydah, Yemen. The incident was reported by a commercial vessel. No further details are available at this time. The article will be updated as more information becomes available. The incident may have been caused by an attack by the Houthis, a rebel group that controls much of Yemen. The Houthis have attacked merchant ships in the Red Sea in the past. There are no reports of casualties or damage yet. UPDATE: The Master of the vessel reported sighting a rocket on the starboard side of the ship and a subsequent explosion 3-5 nautical miles from the port bow. Thankfully, the crew and vessel are reported to be safe and are proceeding to their next port of call.

  A search is underway off the coast of Kafountine, Senegal, for a missing crew member after a canoe named "Takou Liggey Yalla Yana" capsized on February 27th, 2024, according to a distress message received via the Inmarsat system. The Senegalese Maritime Rescue Coordination Center (MRCC Dakar) reported that the incident occurred between 5:00 AM and 6:00 AM UTC (8:00 AM and 9:00 AM local time) at a location roughly 12 degrees 34 minutes North and 16 degrees 33 minutes West. While four crew members were successfully rescued, one remains missing, prompting MRCC Dakar to urge all mariners in the area to assist in the search and report any information to them directly.

  The United States Coast Guard (USCG) is currently searching for the operators of the 42-foot vessel, "Irish Miss." Vicki and Robert Bernhardt, aged 72 and 59 respectively, were last contacted on February 21st while en route from the Florida Keys to the Bahamas. The Coast Guard is urging anyone with information regarding the "Irish Miss" or the Bernhardts to contact the District 7 command center.

  Five migrants died on Friday, February 23, 2024 , after their boat capsized during a rescue operation by the Armed Forces of Malta (AFM) in Maltese territorial waters. The survivors, including a pregnant woman, were taken to hospital for medical attention. However, 21 of the survivors were then taken to a detention center in Malta. SAR Malta, a network working to end pushbacks, non-assistance of people in distress, and other human rights violations at sea , condemned the loss of life and called for a public inquiry into the circumstances of these deaths. The organization also called for the immediate release of all survivors. SAR Malta said that the migrants were from Egypt, Syria, Ghana, and Eritrea and were seeking a better life and a safe haven. They added that the Maltese authorities have a responsibility under international law to rescue people in distress in their search and rescue zone. The organization also welcomed the fact that the AFM made public comments about the rescue

  The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Office (UKMTO) has received a report of three small boats, dark in color, with two persons onboard each, approximately 40 nautical miles (NM) south-east of Mubarak Al Kabeer, Kuwait. The Master of the merchant vessel reported that the small boats followed the merchant vessel for one hour at a distance of less than 1NM. No weapons or uniforms were visible. The Master and crew are safe. Vessels are advised to transit with caution and report any suspicious activity to UKMTO.

 The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on February 26 that its forces destroyed three unmanned surface vessels (USV), two mobile anti-ship cruise missiles (ASCM), and a one-way attack unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in an operation in the Red Sea. The operation took place between the hours of 4:45 p.m. and 11:45 a.m. (Sanaa time). According to a CENTCOM spokesperson, the vessels and missiles were "posing a threat to maritime commerce and freedom of navigation." The destruction of the weapons was part of a "demonstration of the U.S. military's ability to defend against advanced weapons and deter aggression," the spokesperson said.

Four submarine communication cables between Saudi Arabia and Djibouti have been damaged in recent months, causing significant disruption to communications between Europe and Asia. The Israeli news site Globes reported that the damage to the cables, which belong to the AAE-1, Seacom, EIG, and TGN systems, is believed to be the result of attacks by the Houthi rebels in Yemen. The attacks have caused widespread internet outages and disruptions in telecommunications services in the region. In addition to the damage to the submarine cables, the Houthis have also launched a missile attack on a US-flagged tanker in the Gulf of Aden. The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said that the missile was fired on February 24 and missed the tanker, the MV Torm Thor, causing no damage or injuries. The Houthis have accused the US and UK of targeting civilians in airstrikes in Yemen. The Houthi-controlled Saba news agency reported that one civilian was killed and eight others were injured in airstrikes on Febr

  February 26, 2024 - A year ago, a tragedy unfolded off the coast of Steccato di Cutro, Calabria. A boat carrying migrants, which had departed from Turkey, broke in two just a few meters from the shore, causing the deaths of 81 people, including 22 children. The first hours after the shipwreck In the night between February 25 and 26, 2023, the noise of the disaster and the screams of the shipwrecked people woke up the residents of the area. The first aid was provided by some fishermen who were at sea and by the Carabinieri, alerted by the harrowing screams. A dramatic toll At dawn, the death toll was immediately dramatic: dozens of lifeless bodies lay on the beach, covered in white sheets. The search for the missing continued for days, with the sea returning the bodies of men, women, and children, one by one. A year of pain and demands for justice A year later, the pain of the Cutro tragedy is still alive. The families of the victims are asking for justice and truth, while the author

   The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Organization (UKMTO) has issued an advisory regarding an incident of irregular activity in the Gulf of Oman. The incident occurred on February 25, 2024, at 1420 UTC, approximately 20 nautical miles east of Khor Fakkan, UAE. According to the report, a small, fast boat was observed behaving in an irregular manner, approaching from the northeast quadrant, and following the reporting vessel at a range of 20 to 40 meters for over half an hour. The boat was described as white, open-topped, and powered by a single outboard motor. The two persons onboard were wearing military-style, camouflage-type uniforms. The UKMTO has advised vessels to transit with caution and report any suspicious activity to the organization.

  February 25, 2024: The Italian Coast Guard (IMRCC Rome) has issued a distress call for assistance in locating a wooden boat carrying approximately 70 people. Details of the Search: SAR Case Number:  178 Last Known Position:  Latitude 34°50'N, Longitude 11°46'E (as of February 24, 2024, 21:56 UTC) Vessel Description:  Wooden boat carrying approximately 70 people Call to Action: All vessels transiting in the area are urged to maintain a sharp lookout for the missing boat. If spotted, please contact IMRCC Rome immediately. Acknowledgment: Ships that receive this message are requested to acknowledge receipt by email to IMRCC Rome, including their satellite phone number. Importance of Information Sharing: Sharing information promptly is crucial in search and rescue operations. By keeping a sharp lookout and reporting any sightings, mariners can play a vital role in saving lives at sea. Additional Notes: The reason for the distress situation and the origin of the passengers are no

Issued by Marine Weather Service Hamburg General Synopsis: A large high-pressure system (1040 hPa) intensifies over southern Russia. A low-pressure system (995 hPa) over northern Italy moves inland, weakening slightly towards southern Finland. A gale (force 6 on the Beaufort scale) weakens as it moves eastward over the Norwegian Sea. A secondary low (970 hPa) northwest of the Hebrides moves towards England, eventually filling up. On Saturday evening, a low (981 hPa) is located approximately 400 nautical miles west of Ireland. GRIB FILES: https://marine.meteoconsult.co.uk/marine-services/grib-files Detailed Forecast: Date Area Time (UTC) Wind Wave Height (meters) Sea State Weather Feb 24 Rockall (57°N 13°W) 2100 NW 3-4 Moderate - Feb 24 Hebrides (56°N 7°W) 2100 SW 2-3 Moderate - Feb 24 Irish Sea (52°N 6°W) 2100 W 4-5 Moderate - Feb 24 Biscay (47°N 8°W) 2100 W-NW 0-2 Moderate - Feb 25 Iceland (64°N 22°W) 1200 N 3 Moderate - Feb 25 Hebrides (56°N 7°W) 1200 N 5 Moderate - Feb 25 Irish Sea